20/11/2023
Official Statement by Aimos Akem, Pangu Party Candidate for Lagaip by election 2023.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Please allow me to address the alarming events that have transpired during the ongoing counting process for the Lagaip by-election in Wabag town.
During my nomination, I was honored to receive the endorsement of Pangu Pati, and present at the nomination was Hon. Rainbo Paita, Minister for National Planning and a stalwart of the Pangu Pati. This endorsement, like any other in a normal election, was a testament to the support and belief in my candidacy. Since the beginning of the election, It is disheartening to witness the relentless efforts by certain individuals, and their media pundits to discredit both myself and the Pangu Pati.
As a candidate endorsed by the esteemed Pangu Pati, I firmly believe in upholding the principles of democracy, fairness, and peaceful campaigning. It is with great sadness and concern that I must bring to your attention the egregious acts that have unfolded, aimed at tarnishing my reputation and sabotaging the integrity of the electoral proceedings.
In the process of quality checks after the first preferential votes were counted, one of Tomait Kapilis scrutinere punched my scrutineer and proceeded to destroy ballot papers and ballot box in the counting room.
As chaos ensued, this led to Tomait Kapilis supporters charging with their fi****ms to the counting venue.
In response to these acts of violence, the police and army personnel present at the scene engaged in a tense exchange of gunfire, ultimately securing and transferring the ballot boxes to a secure location at Police Station.
However, the aggression did not cease there. Team Kapili, fueled by their lust for power, proceeded to the residence of the Returning Officer (RO), where they unleashed a barrage of shots directly into the his house, endangering the lives of his family and those present.
Tragically, during these events, my own residence in Pawas was subjected to a vicious attack by Team Kapili. In this reprehensible act, they targeted and shot seven individuals, one of whom has tragically lost their life.
These extreme measures by team Kapili to destroy the very boxes that hold the voice and will of the people is an act of a desperate and coward person and all those who endorsed him and fund him and support him, including our Governor for Enga must be ashamed of themselves.
If this is the quality of the candidate you desperately put all your efforts to cowtow to, simply reflect your disregard for what is important for the country but a desperate play for numbers at the expense of the lives of innocent people.
It is disheartening to witness such blatant disregard for the sanctity of the electoral process and the safety of those involved.
In the face of such barbarism and violence, I want the country to know that Tomait Kapili is a warlord and murderer and is not a fit and proper person to represent our people in Parliament as evident by what has transpired yesterday (Monday) and the days leading up to the counting.
In an attempt to ensure that the entire process is peaceful and transparent, the Electoral Commissioner initially made the decision to move the counting process away from Enga to Eastern Highlands Province (EHP), a more neutral ground. This decision was made in recognition of the fact that we went to by-election simply because of the mere fact that we fought in Lagaip and destroyed ballot boxes and the election was failed. Have we not created a precedent already?. Somewhow, media pundits have tactically crafted statements after statements and flooded the social media making me look like I was somehow responsible for this.
Governor Ipatas assured the country that, there is no threat in Wabag. Now all the deaths and destruction is your responsibility because you failed Wabag and enga to deliver to your words in delivering a peaceful counting process.
I condemn these actions in the strongest terms possible. I implore the authorities to swiftly investigate these incidents, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure the safety and security of all individuals involved in the electoral process.
I urge the Electoral Commission to continue the counting process without interruption, as it is our duty to honor the voices and choices of the people.
To the people of Lagaip, I assure you that I remain steadfast in my commitment to serving you with integrity, dedication, and unwavering resolve. This is me with or without the mandate. I humbly request your continued support and trust as we navigate these challenging circumstances together.
May peace prevail, justice be served, and the democratic values that we hold dear triumph over the forces of violence and oppression by desperate politicians.
Thank you.
Aimos Akem
